Khawaja Asif Questions Taliban Over Pakistan’s Sacrifices

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Khawaja Asif on Saturday recalled Pakistan’s long and costly association with Afghanistan, saying Islamabad hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades and stood shoulder to shoulder with Afghans during the war against the former Soviet Union.

In a pointed post addressed to Sirajuddin Haqqani, Asif said that even today millions of Afghans continue to live in Pakistan, while Islamabad has repeatedly played the role of mediator among rival Afghan militant factions. He questioned what Pakistan received in return for these efforts.

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The defence minister alleged that instead of cooperation, Pakistan faced hostility, claiming that elements responsible for killing and injuring Pakistanis were given shelter across the border. He added that Pakistan and Afghanistan once shared a common enemy in Russia, formerly the Soviet Union, and that both countries were encouraged by the United States to fight against Soviet forces.

Asif acknowledged that Pakistan became a NATO ally after the 9/11 attacks but rejected allegations that Islamabad facilitated the Haqqani Network, asking Haqqani to clarify publicly whether such claims held any truth.

He further remarked that after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the United States abandoned both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Recalling a past meeting in Kabul, Asif said he had urged Haqqani not to collaborate with Pakistan’s enemies. He added that Pakistan was willing to meet financial requests made during those talks, but no assurances were provided in return.

Concluding his message, Asif said Pakistan did not demand much from the Taliban—only that Afghan soil should not be used against Pakistan or its people. He ended his statement with the slogan: “Long Live Pakistan; made-in-USA jihad.”